Acer circinatum, Vine maple
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer circinatum

Vine maple

SapindaceaeNorth America

At a Glance

Typetree
Habitspreading
Foliagedeciduous
Height10-25 feet (3-7.6 m)
Width10-20 feet (3-6 m)
Maturity12 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6a - 9b
Zone 6a
Zone 6b
Zone 7a
Zone 7b
Zone 8a
Zone 8b
Zone 9a
Zone 9b
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

An upright to arching, deciduous shrub or small multi-stemmed tree in the family Sapindaceae, native to moist forest understories, riparian zones, and stream banks from southwestern British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to northwestern California — the most common and widespread native maple of Pacific Northwest forest understories. The specific epithet circinatum means 'circular,' referring to the nearly round, palmately lobed leaf outline. Plants grow 10–25 feet (3–7.6 m) tall, though often remaining lower and more spreading in deep shade. The growth form is notably variable: in shaded forest understory, stems arch outward and may trail along the ground, occasionally rooting where they contact soil — the vine-like habit giving the common name; in open conditions the plant grows more upright. The opposite leaves are 2–6 inches (5–15 cm) across with 7–9 shallow, sharply serrated lobes in a nearly circular (circinatum) outline. Small flowers in drooping clusters appear in April–May with reddish-purple sepals and white petals. The paired winged seeds (samaras) spread nearly 180 degrees — almost flat in a straight line — a reliable diagnostic character unique among regional maples. Fall foliage is among the most vivid of any native PNW tree or shrub: leaves turn brilliant orange, scarlet, and gold, often persisting well into October. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Acer circinatum is native to the Pacific Coast of North America, with a natural range extending from southwestern British Columbia south through western Washington and Oregon to northwestern California. In its native habitat, the species typically grows in moist coniferous forests, mixed woodlands, riparian zones, and along stream banks at elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 5,000 feet (1,500 m). Acer circinatum commonly occupies the forest understory beneath towering conifers such as Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and Sitka spruce, where it thrives in the dappled light and consistently moist conditions.

Suggested Uses

Acer circinatum excels in naturalistic woodland gardens, shade gardens, and Pacific Northwest native plant landscapes where its graceful form, spring flowers, and exceptional fall color provide multi-season interest. The species is ideally suited for understory plantings beneath established conifers or in consistently shaded locations with reliable moisture. It performs beautifully along stream banks, in rain gardens, and in areas subject to seasonal flooding, as it tolerates wet soil conditions better than most maple species. Use Acer circinatum as a specimen tree in smaller gardens where its elegant branching structure can be appreciated, or plant multiple specimens 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) apart for informal screening. In larger landscapes, space individual trees 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m) apart to allow full development of their natural spreading form. The species also works well in Japanese-style gardens and other settings where its graceful, somewhat weeping habit complements the design aesthetic.

How to Identify

Identified as a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub to small tree of PNW forest understories. Circinatum = 'circular': the NEARLY CIRCULAR LEAF OUTLINE with 7–9 shallow, sharply serrated lobes 2–6 inches (5–15 cm) across is the primary character. NEARLY 180-DEGREE PAIRED SAMARAS — winged seeds spread almost flat in a straight line — diagnostic among regional maples. Growth form variable: arching, vine-like, and potentially trailing in shade (the 'vine maple' habit); more upright in open sun. April–May flowers in drooping clusters: reddish-purple sepals with white petals. SPECTACULAR FALL COLOR — orange, scarlet, and gold. Distinguished from big-leaf maple (A. macrophyllum) by much smaller leaf size (2–6 vs. 6–12 inches) and multi-stemmed shrubby habit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 25'
Width/Spread10' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red
purple
white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

orange
red
gold

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
April to May in most zones, extending from late March in warmer areas (zones 8-9) to early June in cooler mountain locations. Individual flowers persist for 7-10 days, with the total bloom period lasting 3-4 weeks. Flowers typically appear before or simultaneously with emerging leaves.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Reddish-purple sepals with white petals

Foliage Description

Bright green turning brilliant orange, red, and golden yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclayrocky
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate to high

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-15 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Acer circinatum requires consistent moisture throughout its life, particularly during the critical establishment period of the first 2-3 years. Provide deep watering once or twice weekly during the growing season when rainfall is insufficient, delivering 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of water to ensure thorough soil penetration. Even well-established specimens cannot tolerate extended drought periods - dry spells exceeding 2 weeks typically result in leaf scorch, premature leaf drop, and overall stress that increases susceptibility to pests and diseases. The species performs optimally with a 2-4 inch (5-10 cm) layer of organic mulch applied around the root zone to maintain soil moisture and keep roots cool, though mulch should be kept at least 6 inches (15 cm) away from the trunk base. In its preferred partially shaded to fully shaded locations with consistent moisture, Acer circinatum requires minimal additional care beyond occasional removal of dead or damaged branches and monitoring for adequate water during dry periods.

Pruning

Acer circinatum requires minimal pruning when properly situated and typically develops an attractive natural form with little intervention. Remove dead, damaged, crossing, or rubbing branches during midsummer to late summer (July-August) after spring growth has hardened off, or during dormancy from late fall through winter (November-January). Avoid pruning during late winter to early spring (February-April) when sap flow is at its peak, as wounds will "bleed" profusely - while not harmful to the tree, this creates unsightly dripping and may attract insects. If the naturally multi-stemmed plant develops competing leaders or structural weakness, select 3-5 of the strongest main stems and remove others at ground level, ideally within the first 5 years of growth. Lower branches that droop to ground level may naturally root and produce new plants; remove these rooted sections if expansion is undesired, or allow them to naturalize in woodland garden settings. Light thinning of interior branches every 3-4 years can improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure, but avoid removing more than 25% of the canopy in any single year to prevent stress.

Pruning Schedule

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midsummerlate summerlate fallearly winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and other pets. All parts of Acer circinatum are considered safe for contact and accidental ingestion. The seeds and young shoots are actually edible and were traditionally harvested and consumed by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, though the seeds have a somewhat bitter taste and are not commonly eaten today.